Private Sector Speakers’Biographies

 

Barbara J. Armstrong
Armstrong & Associates, Inc.
Post Office Box 470637
Charlotte, NC 28247
Phone: (704) 543-6870

Education and Credentials:

Bachelor of Arts Degree, Nursing, Bloomfield College, 1973

Registered Professional Nurse, Licensed in the State of North Carolina, Current, License Number 054027

Licensed in the State of South Carolina, Current, License Number 00070617

Certified Disability Management Specialist, 1985, Current, Certificate Number 02648

Certified Case Manager, 1993, Current, Certificate Number 00152

Certified Life Care Planner, 1996, Current, Certificate Number 0015

Certified Disability Analyst, 1996, Current, Certificate Number 2723-96

Continuing Education:

Attendance at monthly NCARIP educational programs 1987 to present

Attendance at the Case Management Conference 1992, 1993 and 1998

Attendance at the National Head Injury Seminar 1993

Attendance at nine sessions of Catastrophic Life Care Planning Sessions, 1994-96

Attendance at Human Resources Seminar for Administration of Employees, June 1995

Coordinated and attended NCARIP/NARPPS Symposium March 1994-2000

Attendance at quarterly NARPPS educational meetings, ongoing

Attendance at the annual Life Care Planning Educational Program for continuing education credits, 1997-2000

Honors and Achievements:

Graduated Cum Laude 1973

Gold Medal Winner, Intracorp, 1985, 1986, 1987

Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing 1992

Professional Experience:

President, Medical Case Manager and Life Care Planner, Armstrong & Associates, Inc., Charlotte, North Carolina, 1989-Present

Manager, Rehabilitation Nurse, Fortis Corporation (CORVEL), Charlotte, North Carolina, 1988

Area Director, District Manager, Rehabilitation Nurse, Intracorp, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1980-88

Clinical Director, Family Planning Clinic, Charlotte, North Carolina; provided outpatient family planning services, 1978-80

Liaison Nurse, Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, Charlotte, North Carolina; provided education to catastrophic injured persons and their families, 1974-78

Staff Nurse, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina; provided primary care on medical surgical unit, 1974

Staff Nurse, Mountainside Hospital, Bloomfield, New Jersey; provided nursing care on a medical surgical unit 1972-73

Professional and Community Involvement:

Member of ALNC, Current

Member of IARP and NCARPPS, Current

Member of NCARIP, Current

President of NCARIP, 1992-95

Secretary of NCARPPS, 1996-98

Member at Large NCARIP, 1995-96

Member of the Ad Hoc Committee writing Rehabilitation Guidelines in Workers’ Compensation, 1992-93

Member of the Advisory Board and Advisory Committee to establish standards, ethics, and rules for rehabilitation providers in North Carolina, Current

Advisory Board Member, The Rehab Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1996

Advisory Board Member, Mid-Atlantic Center for Pain Medicine, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1995-97

Board Member, The North Carolina Pain Society, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1995-98

Board Member, Goodwill Industries, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1997-2000

Volunteer to Amethyst Treatment Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, over 75 hours of volunteer time given to assist professionals in addictions, 1981-85

Blue Ribbon Panel Member, Commission on Disability Examiner Certification, Midlothian, Virginia, Current

Commissioner, Commission on Disability Examiner Certification, Midlothian, Virginia, 1998-2000

Council Member, Shepherd Center Corporate Council, Atlanta, Georgia, 1998-2000

Tri-Chairman, Rehabilitation Rules Revision Working Committee for the North Carolina Industrial Commission, 1999-2000

NCIC Rehabilitation Advisory Committee Member, North Carolina Industrial Commission Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2000-Present

Board Member, Secretary, Educational Planning Committee, Charlotte, NC providing educational opportunities for rehabilitation professionals in a tri-state area annually, 1994-Present

President-Elect International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals Carolina Chapter, 2001-2002

W. Joey Barnes
Mediator
Post Office Box 9292
Charlotte, NC 28299-9282
Phone: (704) 372-0150, Fax: (704) 372-7783

Joey Barnes is a certified mediator specializing in workers’ compensation and personal injury cases. He currently lives in Charlotte and has been a full time mediator for seven years, conducting approximately 3,000 workers’ compensation and civil mediations. He is a graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Law School. He clerked for past Chief Judge Gerald Arnold of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, was a staff attorney for the Department of Labor in Washington, DC and, prior to becoming a full time mediator, was a Deputy Commissioner with the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Mr. Barnes is currently a member of the Mediation Committee of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section.

 

Roy J. Baroff
Dispute Resolution Services
240 Buteo Ridge
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: (919) 542-2575, Fax: (919) 542-7288
E-mail: rbj@roybaroffmediation.com

Roy J. Baroff is an attorney and certified mediator with a practice focused on dispute resolution services including mediation, meeting facilitation and dispute resolution training. He serves as mediator in a range of settings including North Carolina Superior and Federal Court and the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He was originally trained as a mediator in 1982 and received his North Carolina Superior Court Mediator Certification in 1992. Since 1992, he has mediated hundreds of Superior Court and Industrial Commission cases.

His dispute resolution training includes:

1982: Mediation, Dispute Settlement Center of Orange County

1985: Facilitator, Interaction Associates, Inc., with Michael Doyle

1989: Public Disputes, MediationNetwork with Susan Carpenter

1992: Mediation, American Arbitration Association

1992: Advanced Mediation, United States Arbitration & Mediation

1993: Advanced Mediation, United States Arbitration & Mediation

1994: Advanced Mediation, United States Arbitration & Mediation

2002: Advanced Mediation, Mediation, Inc.

2002: Advanced Mediation, North Carolina Bar Association

He has served as a mediation trainer for a number of programs including:

American Arbitration Association

Dispute Settlement Center of Orange Co.

Mediation Center of Asheville

Mediation, Inc.

National Institute for Trial Advocacy

United States Arbitration & Mediation

Association for Conflict Resolution

North Carolina Bar Association

Private Adjudication Center

North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers

Mediation Network of North Carolina

Mr. Baroff entered the practice of law in 1987 and has provided legal services in a general civil practice including real estate, some insurance defense and primarily a plaintiff’s personal injury and workers’ compensation practice. Throughout his legal practice, Mr. Baroff has maintained an active mediation practice.

Mr. Baroff holds a BA degree in Anthropology from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, an MA in Anthropology from the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, and his JD degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

 

Thomas Kern Carlton, III, MD
Medical Director
The Rehab Center, Inc.
2610 East Seventh Street
Charlotte, NC 28204
Phone: (704) 375-8900

Employment:

Medical Director: The Rehab Center, Inc. (1993-Present)

Medical Director: Rehab Partners (1999-Present)

Education:

Post-Graduate:

Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency, 7/90-7/93.

Chief Resident, 4/92-4/93.

Resident Educational & Leadership Award, 1993.

University of Virginia Affiliated Hospitals, Roanoke, Virginia.

Internal Medicine Internship, 7/89-6/90.

Graduate:

M.D., Wake Forest University, May 1989.

Undergraduate:

B.A. in Economics, Wake Forest University, May 1984, cum laude.

Licensure and Certification:

Board Certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, May 1994.

Board Certified in Pain Medicine, February 1996 (American Academy of Pain Medicine)

Board Certified Independent Medical Examiner, July 2000

Board of Medical Examiners, State of North Carolina, Number 53413

National Board of Medical Examiners, Number 37213

North Carolina License Department of Revenue, number 060070712

Clinical Rotations:

General Inpatient Rehabilitation: Medical College of Virginia

Spinal Cord Injury Inpatient Rehabilitation: MCV

General Inpatient Rehabilitation: Veteran’s Administration Medical Center

Outpatient Musculoskeletal & Amputee Rehabilitation: Veteran’s Administration Medical Center

Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation: MCV

Outpatient Sports Medicine & Chronic Pain Clinic: MCV/VCU Sports Medicine Clinic

Pediatric Rehabilitation: Children’s Hospital

Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation: Sheltering Arms Physical Rehabilitation Hospital

Electrodiagnosis: Veteran’s Administration Medical Center

Senior Rotation on Traumatic Brain Injury: MCV

General Inpatient Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation Hospital of Virginia

Electrodiagnosis: MCV

Inpatient Consultations: MCV

Outpatient Rehabilitation: MCV

Relevant Clinical Experience:

Team Physician Coverage for Clover Hill High School Football

Team Physician Coverage for NCAA Women’s Basketball

Weekend call coverage at Sheltering Arms Rehabilitation Hospital

Preceptor for Department of PM&R at Carolina Medical Center

Academic Committees:

MCV Due Process Committee

MCV Risk Management Committee

MCV House Staff Council

MCV PM&R Education Committee

MCV Neuroscience Committee

Research:

Clinical Associate to Karen S. Rucker, M.D. in Research Protocol SSA Contract #600-90-0229

Pain Assessment Instruments Development Research Associate to Nathan D. Zasler, M.D., Mitchell Goldbaum, M.D., and Tripti Jena, M.D., in Hypoxic Ischemic Brain Injury

Research Associate to David X. Cifu, M.D., Nathan D. Zasler, M.D., and Tripti Jena, M.D., In Brain Injuries in the Elderly

 

Sherman Lee Criner
Hedrick, Blackwell & Criner, LLP
3208 Oleander Drive
Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: (910) 343-1432
E-mail: scriner@hedricklaw.com

Education:

Campbell University, Norman A. Wiggins School of Law, Buies Creek, North Carolina: Juris Doctor, 1990-93

Campbell University, Lundy-Fetterman School of Business, Buies Creek, North Carolina: Masters Business Administration, 1991-93

North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina: Political Science / Criminal Justice, 1984-88

Employment:

Hedrick, Blackwell & Criner, LLP, Wilmington, NC: August 1994-Present

North Carolina Industrial Commission, Raleigh, NC: Agency Legal Specialist, January 1994-August 1994

North Carolina Employment Security Commission, Raleigh, NC: Claims Adjudicator, October 1993-January 1994

Legal:

United States

United States Supreme Court, 1998-present

United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 1998-present

United States District Court, Eastern District North Carolina, 1995-present

American Bar Association

North Carolina

North Carolina State Bar, 1994-present

North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Workers’ Compensation Specialist

North Carolina Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Section, Member

Mediation Committee Chairman 2001-2002

North Carolina Bar Association

North Carolina Bar Association, Hispanic and Latino Committee 2002-present

New Hanover County Bar Association

South Carolina

South Carolina State Bar, 2001-present

South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Educational Association 2001-present

Alternative Dispute Resolution:

American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section

Duke University Private Adjudication Center Superior Court Mediation Training, April 26, 1998

North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission Certified Superior Court Mediator, July 1, 1998-present

North Carolina Industrial Commission Certified Mediator, July 1, 1998-present

District Court Certified Arbitrator, 1999-present

Mediation, Inc. Family and Divorce Mediation Training, February 4, 2001-present

North Carolina Dispute Resolution Certified Equitable Distribution and Other Family Financial Cases Mediator, March 13, 2001-present

North Carolina Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section, Member

Section Counsel, 2000-2003

Membership Committee Chairman, 1999-present

North Carolina Bar Association, Workers’ Compensation Section

Mediation Committee, Chairman 2001-2002

Business Partnerships:

Hedrick, Blackwell & Criner, L.L.P., Partner 1999-present

H.B.C., L.L.C., Partner, 2000-present.

Business Organizations:

Welcome Hotels, Inc., Board of Directors 1998-present

North Carolina Citizens for Business & Industry 1999-present

Legal Issues and Workplace Policies Committee 2001-present

Wilmington Chamber of Commerce 1995-present

Recruiting Stakeholders Committee 2000

Local Government Affairs Committee 1995-present.

Political:

New Hanover County Republican Party, Vice-Chairman November 1998-2001

New Hanover County Republican Party, Executive Committee Member 1997-present

New Hanover County Republican Party, Leadership Committee 2001-present

New Hanover County H-5 Precinct Chairman 1997-present

New Hanover County Board of Social Services, Chairman 1999-present

New Hanover County Board of Social Services, Board Member 1998-present

New Hanover County Young Republicans 1996-present.

Civic:

New Hanover County Child Fatality Prevention Team December 1998-present

Teen Leadership Experience Steering Council 1998-99

Wilmington East Rotary 1996-present

Paul Harris Fellow

Treasurer 1997

Wilmington Kiwanis 1995-present

Wilmington Jaycees 1995-present

ex officio appointee Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2002

Jaycee of the Month for January 2002

Board of Directors 1998

Chairman of Homeless Shelter 1995-present

Outstanding Committee Chairman, November 1996-March 1997

City Club de Rossett 1999-present

Wilmington Historical Association

North Carolina State University

Park Scholarship Committee 2001-2002

Wolfpack Club

Little Chapel on The Boardwalk

Thalian Association 1993-present; Notary Public

Friends of the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship

Azalea Festival

Chairman Housing Committee 2001-2002

Co-Chairman Housing Committee 2000-2001

Vice-Chairman Circus Committee 1999-2000

Cape Fear Associates 1999-present

Commission as a Kentucky Colonel

American Mensa International.

Publications/Presentations:

Author of Workers’ Compensation In North Carolina, Legal Reference Series for the North Carolina Citizens for Industry and Business (not yet published)

April 4, 2002—North Carolina Association of Self-Insurers Conference, The Art of Mediation, Wilmington, NC

August 28, 2001—Lorman Workers’ Compensation Seminar, The Art of Mediation, Wilmington, NC

August 2, 2001—Wilmington Star News, Welfare Reform Shows Progress, published article

May 2001—The Intermediary, NCBA Dispute Resolution Section Newsletter, Market Approach Preferred, published article

December 2, 2000—Wilmington Star News, Imbalance of Power, Top Court Overreaches Itself, published article

May 1999—Southern Rehabilitation Annual Seminar in South Carolina, Panel Participant

Representing North Carolina Attorneys, Myrtle Beach, SC

Family:

Wife—Sandra Ray Criner, criminal defense attorney and Republican Candidate for District Attorney for the 5th Judicial District

Daughters—Meredith Rae Criner, Elizabeth Lee Criner

Kathy Goforth
Senior Claims Adjuster
Tyson Foods, Inc.
Post Office Box 88
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Phone: (800) 388-2197, Fax: (336) 651-2885

Kathy Goforth is a Senior Claims Adjuster for Tyson Foods, Inc. Tyson Foods, Inc. is self-insured, self-administered in Workers’ Compensation. She has worked for Tyson Foods, Inc. for twenty-one years. The last ten years she has handled Workers’ Compensation claims. During that time she has handled claims for various states, including Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee and North Carolina. Presently her major responsibility is for North Carolina and Michigan claims. She holds an Associate Degree in Claims for the Insurance Institute of American and an Associate Degree in Secretarial Science. Her work history includes positions in Personnel, both hourly and salaried, Insurance Accounting Clerk, and Administrative Assistance for the Vice President of Finance. She is presently serving as the Secretary for the Board of the North Carolina Association of Self-Insureds.

 

Beverly P. Jeter, MEd, CRC
Director of Vocational Services
ARI
Post Office Drawer 472228
Charlotte, NC 28247
Phone: (800) 763-1776

 Beverly Jeter is currently the Director of Vocational Services with ARI, a private rehabilitation company headquartered in Charlotte, NC. Her career history includes employment with prominent workers’ compensation carriers such as The Hartford, GAB-Robbins and Crawford & Company. Ms. Jeter, who has a BA in Psychology and a M.Ed. in Counseling Education, has worked in the field of rehabilitation for over 18 years. She is a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Disability Management Specialist.

 Her specific area of expertise is in the field of vocational rehabilitation inclusive of individual/group assessments, labor market surveys, case management, job placement, and ergonomics and workplace safety. She is qualified as a Vocational Expert Witness offering assistance with the litigation and mediation of Workers’ Compensation and Liability cases.

 In addition, Ms. Jeter is a professional trainer and speaker, concentrating in the areas of leadership, teambuilding, diversity, productivity and self-enrichment. She has developed training and continuing education courses that have been approved by the NC Department of Insurance.

As a result of working in a variety of rehabilitation settings, Ms. Jeter has interfaced with individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures and personalities. She believes that the ability to recognize and respect the unique differences that are inherent in all of us is paramount to successful interaction among and between individuals and groups.

 

Stefan R. Latorre
President
Latorre & McClure
2699 Central Avenue 
Charlotte, NC 28205 
Phone: (704) 344-0004

 Stefan Latorre was born in Colombia, South America, and grew up in Miami, Florida. He obtained a Juris Doctorate degree with honors from the Florida State University College of Law, and a Masters Degree in Tax Law from the University of Florida College of Law.

Mr. Latorre is the president of the Law Offices of Latorre & McClure, where he concentrates in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. He initially practiced in Miami with the firm of Cantor & Morante, P.A., where he specialized in international law and taxation. He has structured business organizations for clients in over twenty countries around the world, and he has represented over five thousand clients in various civil litigation matters. He has authored numerous articles in local, national, and international publications on various legal issues.

Mr. Latorre has successfully argued two cases of first impression in North Carolina. In Vicente Acosta v. Edwin’s Painting Service, I.C. No. 848537, Sep. 18 (2001), the North Carolina Industrial Commission held that a defendant-employer must pay for the services of an interpreter to accompany an injured worker, who did not speak English, to all medical and physical therapy appointments. In Francisco Ruiz v. Belk Masonry Company, Inc., 559 S.E.2d 249 (N.C. App., Feb. 19, 2002), the North Carolina Court of Appeals held that an illegal alien is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits despite federal law prohibiting the hiring of illegal aliens.

Mr. Latorre is also an accomplished restaurateur. He is owner of Latorre’s Nuevo Latino Cuisine, an upscale restaurant and dance club located in a historic building in Uptown Charlotte, and recently announced the opening of “Aquavina,” an upscale seafood restaurant located in the Shops on the Green in Uptown Charlotte.

Mr. Latorre is also the organizer of the annual Calle Cinco Latin Street Festival, which is Charlotte’s only Latin street festival. The Calle Cinco Festival will be held this year on September 14, on 5th Street between Tryon and Church Streets.

Mr. Latorre is a member of the board of directors of the McColl Center for Visual Arts, Charlotte Center City Partners, Theater Charlotte, and Las Americas Business Council. He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and the Florida Bar Association, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the American Bar Association, the Mecklenburg County Bar Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association.

 

Ann A. O’Connell
Claims Supervisor, Risk Management Group
Royal & SunAlliance Insurance Co.
Post Office Box 19809
Charlotte, NC 29219-9809
Phone: (704) 227-1626, Fax: (704) 227-1825

Ann O’Connell is a 29-year veteran of the insurance industry, having spent 25 years in the field of workers compensation.

After spending three years in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System teaching secondary math, Ms. O’Connell made a career change into the field of insurance and has remained there since.

Ann O’Connell initially started as a multi-line adjuster at Travelers Insurance Company and discovered a special interest in workers compensation. Ann worked with Travelers Insurance Company from 1973-93, serving as a workers compensation adjuster, supervisor, serious injury supervisor and assistant manager. She was associated with Zenith Insurance Company as a claims supervisor for five years before joining Royal & SunAlliance in the Risk Management Group, where she is currently a claims supervisor.

 

Benjamin D. Reese, Jr., PhD
Assistant Vice-President for Cross-Cultural Relations
Office for Institutional Equity
Duke University
146B Trent Hall
Durham, NC 27708-0012
Phone: (919) 684-8229
E-mail: ben.reese@duke.edu

Dr. Reese is a clinical psychologist serving as Assistant Vice-President for Cross-Cultural Relations at Duke University. He is also on the faculty of the Departments of Psychology and Community & Family Medicine.

For the last 30 years, Dr. Reese has served as a consultant to profit and not-for-profit organizations, health care and educational institutions in the areas of organizational change, cross-cultural education and diversity.

Before moving to North Carolina, he was the Associate Executive Director of the Fifth Ave Center for Counseling and Psychotherapy in New York City, the Ombudsperson for the Rockefeller Foundation and founder and director of The Institute for the Study of Culture and Ethnicity.

He has represented both the International Council of Psychologists and the World Federation for Mental Health (Non-Governmental Organizations)at the United Nations. His travels to over 30 countries have included presentations in Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Haiti and Bermuda. He is a frequent consultant, speaker, and workshop leader on diversity and cross-cultural topics.

 

Joseph B. Roberts, III
Senior Partner
The Roberts Law Firm, PA
302 South York Street
Post Office Box 2335
Gastonia, NC 28053-2335
Phone: (704) 865-1271, Fax: (704) 865-1488
E-mail:
Joe@robertsfirm.com

Joseph B. Roberts, III., is the senior partner at The Roberts Law Firm, PA, located in Gastonia, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (1962 AB Degree, 1964 LLB Degree).

He served in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1983 and 1984 and was a lay member of the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy from 1982 through 1989. He is past chairman of the North Carolina Bar Association Workers’ Compensation Section. He is a frequent speaker at Workers’ Compensation seminars. His primary practice is in workers’ compensation, personal injury and medical malpractice.

 

Theodore H. "Ted" Sawyer
Branch Manager
Crawford & Company
Post Office Box 19926
Raleigh, NC 27619
Phone: (919) 781-1009

Qualifications:

More than 20 years of professional and management experience in the field of Rehabilitation and Managed Care with specific emphasis on workplace injury, Long Term Disability management and Consultant to Private and Governmental entities in all phases of worker injury rehabilitation.

Experienced in the development of Return to Work Programs, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, Employee Assistance programs, Long Term and Short Term Disability and Liability Insurance, and Worker Compensation. Developed LTD/STD integration programs.

Recognized as an expert in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation by numerous State and Federal Jurisdictions, with actual testimony experience in over 2,500 cases. Specialized knowledge of the Social Security Administration process for determining disability.

Business management experience in the establishment and development of location offices, staff recruitment and retention, training and development. Responsibilities include personnel evaluation, wage and salary administration. Equal Employment Opportunity oversight. OSHA compliance, benefits administration, budgeting and business development.

Work History:

1983-Present—Branch Manager, Crawford & Company

Founding manager for the first branch office of the Disability Management Division in North Carolina. Established office location and conducted market analysis and implemented sales plan resulting in the sustained growth and expansion of services throughout Central and Eastern North Carolina. Recruited and trained professional and administrative staff. Conducted office site identification, negotiated leases, purchases equipment and performed all activity necessary to establish locations in five cities.

Supervise medical case managers and vocational consultants to assure quality service delivery. Maintain an active caseload of clients and provide job development, job analysis, job placement and follow-up services to insure successful return to work.

1981-83—Consultant in Charge, Crawford & Company

Initially joining Crawford as a Vocational Consultant in Savannah, Georgia, was promoted in ten months to the supervisory position responsible for the operation of a satellite office in Valdosta Georgia. Responsible for the supervision of office and professional staff, recruitment, interviewing and recommending hiring of staff. In addition to providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services to injured workers, was charged with sales and customer relations activity, office administration, and supervision of company car fleet.

Direct professional services included assessment, rehabilitation plan development and implementation, including retraining and job placement of injured workers, work site evaluation for job modification, expert testimony, and provision of services under specific laws governing injured employees of the U.S. Government and those covered by the Worker Compensation Laws of Georgia and Florida.

1977-81—Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, N C Division Vocational Rehabilitation.

Provided full array of professional services aimed at the rehabilitation and return to productive employment of persons with disabilities. Experienced in dealing with mental, emotional, physical and substance abuse impairments. Services included assessment, determination of eligibility, rehabilitation plan development and implementation, and Job placement services designed to transition clients to the work setting. Also served as job development coordinator, providing assistance to other counselors in placing client utilizing networking and job banks established for the agency.

Education:

1976-77—Master of Arts, Counselor Education/Psychology Appalachian State University, Boone, NC.

1970-74—Bachelor of Social Work, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC.

Specialized Training:

Management, Rehabilitation, Worker Compensation, Liability, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Employee Assistance Programs, Americans with Disabilities Act. Internal Return to Work Programs, Sales Management, Personnel Management and related courses.

Certifications/Licensure/Consultative Arrangements

Licensed Professional Counselor

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

Certified Disability Management Specialist

Vocational Expert, Social Security Administration*

Employee Assistance Professional*

Rehabilitation Counselor, U.S. Department of Labor

Office of Worker Compensation Programs*

NC Department Human Resources—Office of Hearings and Appeals

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board

*Inactive—renewal eligible

 

Linda Stephens
Partner
Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, LLP
1621 Midtown Place
Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: (919) 873-0166

Linda Stephens began her legal career as a law clerk to Judge (later Chief Judge) R. A. Hedrick of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, where she gained knowledge and experience in various substantive areas of the law, as well as expertise in appellate practice. She left the Court in August 1980 upon her appointment as a deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. Ms. Stephens served in that capacity for four years. She left her position as a deputy commissioner to join the firm of Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham in August 1984, and became a partner in 1988. She focuses exclusively on the defense of workers’ compensation claims and enjoys an active appellate practice in that field.

Ms. Stephens just completed a term as the first female President of the North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys, and has been on its Board of Directors since 1993. She is currently Chair of the North Carolina Defense Fund, the political action committee of the NCADA. Previously, she served a three-year term on the North Carolina Bar Association’s Litigation Council, the executive and governing board for the litigation section. Linda Stephens is a member of the Defense Research Institute, for which she serves as North Carolina liaison to the Workers’ Compensation Section. She also serves on the Workers’ Compensation Subcommittee of the North Carolina State Bar Board of Legal Specialization and is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association’s Workers’ Compensation Section.

Ms. Stephens has written and lectured extensively on North Carolina workers’ compensation law and practice, and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Workers’ Compensation Section, since 1995. She is a lifetime member of The National Registry of Who’s Who, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the Wake County SPCA. Currently, she serves as member of the Board of Directors of S.A.F.E. Haven for Cats.

Her educational credentials include a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Carolina, summa cum laude, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

Jim Thomas
Senior Claims Adjuster
Crawford & Company
121 Indigo Lane
Mooresville, NC 28117
Phone: (704) 664-1575
E-mail: Bowndog1@Alltel.net

Education:

1986        NC State University, Bachelor of Arts in Business Management

1994        Insurance Institute of America, Associate in Claims

Employment:

2001-Present   Senior Claims Adjuster, Crawford & Company

Technical Specialist in charge of large losses, Occupational Disease claims including asbestos claims, hearing loss claims and Catastrophic Losses for clients such as Bank of America, Hoerchst Celeanse, Texas Gulf, and Armstrong. Handling a desk of over 500 claims.

1994-2001             Vice President, Claims, Zenith National Insurance Company

Managed Workers’ Compensation Claims, responsibilities across 14 states including: PA, NJ, NY, VA, NC, SC, GA, TN, AL, MS, OK, KS, LA, & MO. Managed a staff of over 60 employees with over $100,000.00 in at risk premium.

1993-94           Assistant Claims Manager/Claims Supervisor, Consolidated Administrators

Managed and supervised Workers Compensation claims, responsible for NC & SC over 4000 open lost time claims. Managed $85,000.00 in premium income of 4 workers compensation self-insured funds, AGC, NC Home Builders, Retail and Restaurant. Supervised a staff of 17 claims adjusters, claims support staff and nurses. Recognized as Employee of the Year 1993.

1992-1993             Senior Claims Account Representative, PMA Group, Inc.

Responsible for investigating, negotiating and settling Workers Compensation, GL, and Auto Liability claims for commercial accounts. Handled all claims for self-insured accounts in the office.

1987-92           Claims Supervisor/Senior Claims Adjuster, Liberty Mutual Insurance Group

Supervised staff of 11 employees, to include auto appraisal unit, 1st and 3rd party property claims, Commercial GL, Commercial and Personal lines Auto liability, workers compensation and large property losses.

Doris (Anne) Thompson, RN, CDMS, CCM
Medical Case Manager and Educational Coordinator
Southern Rehabilitation Network, Inc.
3725 National Drive, Suite 123
Raleigh, NC 27612
Phone: (919) 781-3149

Education:

Medical University of South Carolina, School of Nursing, Graduate 1964.

Work Experience:

Southern Rehabilitation Network, Inc., October, 1989-Present.

Medical Case Manager and Educational Coordinator. Assess medical, vocational, financial and behavioral needs of referred injured workers. Recommends and implements rehabilitation plan and actions to obtain maximum medical potential and return to work. Develops and presents educational seminars.

Intracorp, 1980-89.

Rehabilitation specialist, Education Developer and Presenter.

Baby’s Hospital, Wilmington, NC, 5 years.

ER and post surgical care nurse.

Coastal Orthopedics, 8 years.

Head nurse and office manager. X-ray technician, orthopedic clinician.

Dow Corning, International Project for Development and Implantation of Glass Prosthesis, 1968.

Credentials and Certifications:

Registered Nurse, North Carolina #037317

Certified Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist

Certified Case Manager

Certified Spinal Cord Injury Specialist

Case Management Expertise

Neurological, orthopedic, psychiatric, medical/surgical, catastrophic, and expert witness.

Memberships and Professional Affiliations, Past & Present

Member, American Nurses’ Association

Member, North Carolina Nurses’ Association

Member, National Orthopedic Nurses’ Association

Member, National Rehabilitation Association

Past President, NC Nurses’ Association, District 22

Past President and Chairman, Council of District Presidents, NCNA

Past Member, Board of Directors, NCNA

Voting Delegate, National Nurses’ Association Meeting

Voting Delegate, NC Nurses’ Association from District 22

American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses

 

Joseph P. Zuhosky, MD
Miller Orthopaedic Clinic, Inc.
16455 Statesville Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Phone: (704) 892-0993, Fax: (704) 987-1217
E-Mail: jzuhosky@millerclinic.com

Fellowship:

Sports and Spine Rehabilitation, Illinois SPINE & SPORTSCARE Centers, Ltd., Bloomingdale, Illinois, July, 1997-June, 1998

Chief Resident:

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, January-June, 1997

Residency:

Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, July, 1994-June, 1997

Internship:

Internal Medicine-Preliminary, Evanston Hospital, Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center, Evanston, Illinois, June, 1993-June, 1994

Education:

Doctor of Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, September, 1989-June, 1993

Bachelor of Science, Science Preprofessional: With Honors       University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, August, 1985-May, 1989

Licensure and Certification:

Diplomate, American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine Certificate # 2562, 1999

Diplomate, American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Certificate # 5886, 1998

Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners Certificate # 432375, 1994

North Carolina State Medical License #98-01128, 1998-Present

Illinois State Medical License #036-095094, 1997-Present

Advanced Cardiac Life Support, 1998

Academic Appointments:

Clinical Instructor, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, November, 1998-Present

Clinical Instructor, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, July, 1996-June, 1997

Hospital Appointments:

Courtesy-Provisional Staff, Presbyterian Hospital/Orthopaedic Hospital of Charlotte, 2001-Present

Active Staff, Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Mooresville, North Carolina, 1998-Present

Courtesy Staff, Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1998-Present

Associate Staff, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1998-Present

Associate Staff, Mercy Hospital & Mercy Hospital South, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1998-Present

Associate Staff, University Hospital, Charlotte, North Carolina, 1998-Present

Honors and Awards:

Helen Cooper Outstanding Resident Teacher Award, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, June, 1997

Sarah Baskin Award for Excellence in Clinical Research, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, June, 1997

Scholl Foundation Recognition Award for Rehabilitation Research, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, June, 1997

Walter E. Heller Fellowship, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, January-June, 1997

Department of Physical Medicine Award, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, June, 1993

Roessler Research Scholarship, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, 1991

J.M. Foundation/Scaife Family Foundation Award, 1991

Publications:

Zuhosky JP, Young JL. Functional Physical Assessment for Low Back Injuries in the Athlete. In Liemohn W, editor. Exercise Prescription and the Back, 2001, New York: McGraw-Hill, pp. 67-88.

Sullivan WJ, Willick S, Chirq-Adisai W, Zuhosky JP, Tyburski M, Dreyfuss P, Prather H, Press JM. Incidence of Intravascular Uptake in Lumbar Spinal Injection Procedures. Spine, 25:481-486, 2000.

Zuhosky JP, Dugan SA, Young JL, Bode RK, Kelly JP. A Retrospective Review of the Incidence and Rehabilitation Outcome of Concomitant Traumatic Brain Injury and Ligamentous Knee Injuries. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 79:805-10, 1998.

Frank LW, Schneider DS, Zuhosky JP. Anatomic Considerations in Needle Electromyography of the Lumbar Spine. In: Wertsch J, editor. Anatomic and Technical Issues in EMG. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 9:795-814, 1998.

Abstracts:

Lagattuta FP, Hudoba P, Schneider DS, Zuhosky JP. Incidence and Prevention of Osteoporosis in Females Taking Hormone Replacement Therapy. North American Spine Society 14TH Annual Meeting Proceedings, pp 103-4, 1999.

Zuhosky JP, Schneider DS, Frank LW, Lagattuta FP. Back Pain—Volleyball. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30:S262, 1998.

Lagattuta FP, Zuhosky JP, Schneider DS, Frank LW. Costal Chondral Joint Injury—Gymnast. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30:S186, 1998.

Abstracts (Continued):

Schneider DS, Frank LW, Zuhosky JP, Lagattuta FP. Bilateral Forearm and Hand Pain in Weightlifter. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30:S94, 1998.

Frank LW, Lagattuta FP, Schneider DS, Zuhosky JP. Back Pain

Football. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 30:S261, 1998.

Dugan SA, Zuhosky JP, Kelly JP, Young JL. A Retrospective Review of the Incidence and Rehabilitation Outcome of Concomitant Traumatic Brain Injury and Ligamentous Knee Injuries. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 77:935, 1996.

Zuhosky JP, Young JL, Kelly JP. The Unique Challenge of Rehabilitation of Ligamentous Knee Injuries in a Traumatic Brain Injury Patient: A Case Report. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 76:1083, 1995.

Sullivan WS, Zuhosky JP. Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome Secondary to Coxsackie B Virus: A Case Study in the Rehabilitation Setting. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 76:1063, 1995.

National Presentations:

“Cervical Spine Disorders: Diagnosis and Management,” Platform Presentation, Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery, National Meeting, Charleston, South Carolina, October, 2001

“Clinical Considerations in the Evaluation of Core Stability,” Platform Presentation, American College of Sports Medicine, 48th Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, 2001

“Back Pain—Volleyball,” Platform Presentation, American College of Sports Medicine 45TH Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, 1998

“A Retrospective Review of the Incidence and Rehabilitation Outcome of Concomitant Traumatic Brain Injury and Ligamentous Knee Injuries,” Platform Presentation, 58TH Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chicago, Illinois, 1996

“The Unique Challenge of Rehabilitation of Ligamentous Knee Injuries in a Traumatic Brain Injury Patient: A Case Report,” Poster Presentation, 57TH Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orlando, Florida, 1995

National Presentations:

“Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Secondary to Coxsackie B Virus: A Case Study in the Rehabilitation Setting,” Poster Presentation, 57TH Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Orlando, Florida, 1995

Local Presentations:

“Spinal Anatomy & Kinesiology,” The Athlete’s Spine Symposium, Charlotte Area Health Education Center, January, 2001

“Physical Exam: Cervical & Lumbar,” Workshop, The Athlete’s Spine Symposium, Charlotte Area Health Education Center, January, 2001

“Spine Injection Procedures: What Is the Current State of the Art?,”Orthopaedic Health Network Workers Compensation Symposium, April, 2000.

“Neuropathic Shoulder,” Adult Shoulder Problems Update 2000, Charlotte Area Health Education Center, April, 2000.

“The Lumbar Spine ‘99: Current Treatment Philosophies for Lumbar Spine Dysfunction,” Course Co-Director, Charlotte Area Health Education Center, April, 1999

“Applied Clinical Anatomy & Kinesiology of the Lumbar Spine,” Charlotte Area Health Education Center, April, 1999 “The Role of Specialized Injections in the Treatment of Lumbar Spine Disorders,” Charlotte Area Health Education Center, April, 1999

“Lumbar Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis,” Charlotte Area Health Education Center, April, 1999

“Interventional Physiatry: The Role of Specialized Injections in Spine Disorders,” Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation, PM&R Grand  Rounds, January 1999

“Physiatric Approach to Low Back Pain,” University Hospital Internal Medicine Grand Rounds, October, 1998

“Nonoperative Management of Spine Disorders in Workers Compensation,” Berkley Health Care Workers Compensation Symposium, August, 1998

Volunteer Medical Services:

Team Physician, All Sports, Hopewell High School, Charlotte, North Carolina, 2001-Present

Medical Coverage, MVP Classic—Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament, Charlotte, North Carolina, December, 1999

Medical Coverage, ITU Dannon Duathlon World Championships, Huntersville, North Carolina, October, 1999

Medical Coverage, Mecklenburg County High School Football, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, 1999-2000

Invited Item Writer, American Board of Physical Examination and Rehabilitation Recertification Examination, 1998-2001

Team Physician, All Sports, Addison Trail High School, Addison, Illinois, 1997-98

Volunteer Medical Services:

Medical Coverage, DuPage Valley High School Football Conference, DuPage County, Illinois, 1997-98

DuPage County Free Clinic Referral Physician, DuPage County, Illinois, 1997-98

Catholic Charities Referral Physician, Chicago Archdiocese, Illinois, 1997-98

St. Basil’s Free Clinic, Chicago, Illinois, 1995-97

Norridge High School Preparticipation Physicals, Norridge, Illinois, 1996-97

Condell Medical Center Preparticipation Physicals, Libertyville, Illinois, 1996-97

Medical Coverage, Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program, Regional Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, Chicago, Illinois, 1995-97

Regional Wheelchair Softball Tournament, Chicago, Illinois, 1995

Professional Committees:

Compliance Task Force, North American Spine Society, 2000-2001

Chairman, Membership Committee, Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation, 2000-Present

Membership Committee, American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 2000-Present

Non-Operative Coding Committee, North American Spine Society, 1999-Present

Operations Committee, Miller Orthopaedic Clinic, 1999-Present

Medical Education Committee, Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation, 1998-Present

Medical Advisory Board, HealthTrack Rehabilitation & Fitness Center, Central DuPage Hospital, 1997-98

Physical Therapy Treatment Protocol Task Force, Central DuPage Hospital, 1997-98

Physician Recruitment Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1997

Credentials and Professional Standards Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1997

Nominating Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1997 Bylaws, Rules and Regulations Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Library Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Weekend Admissions Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Risk Management Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Quality Assurance Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Medical Education Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Professional Committees:

Medical Staff Policies and Procedures Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Medical Care Planning Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Medical Care Subcommittee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Medical Executive Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1996-97

Vital Measurements Quality Improvement Task Force, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1995-96

Ethics Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1995-97

Communication Skills Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1995-97

Utilization Review Committee, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 1994-97

Professional Organizations:

American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Association of Academic Physiatrists

Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation

American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine

North American Spine Society

American College of Sports Medicine

American Medical Association

Mecklenburg County Medical Society


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